Why did Thomas doubt Jesus’ resurrection? He had seen Jesus raise the dead; why would he doubt Jesus’ own return to life?

His doubt suggests a certain pessimistic mindset. When Jesus said he was headed to Jerusalem—a place everyone knew to be dangerous for Jesus now—Thomas challenged the others: “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16 NIV). At the Last Supper, when Jesus told his apostles they knew the way to the place he would soon be going, Thomas disagreed: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5 NIV).

We can’t really say what was going on in Thomas’s mind and heart at the time, but we can tell from the Easter story that Thomas was deprived of the joy of Christ’s resurrection until he cast out the doubt lodged in his heart. Finally, he believed—after seeing Jesus was indeed alive.

For us living in an age that demands scientific proof, doubts may seem to be a big obstacle to our faith. What helps me is knowing that the faith of the early believers came out of doubt and uncertainty, based on real encounters with God. Does their testimony help you?